Christie told them to let it all out. Romney staffers and a West Des Moines police officer escorted the group of about a dozen out the door within a few minutes.

“Where was I before I was so New Jersily interrupted?” Christie said, to laughs from an audience of 150 to 200 at the Kum & Go headquarters on Westown Parkway.

Christie said the protesters’ “anger is rooted in the fact that they believed in this hope and change garbage that they were sold three years ago by this president. … But they’re not mature enough to know they should be angry with themselves so they’re going to be angry with me or Governor Romney or some of you.”

Romney is an ideal leader who would make the best president, Christie said. He’s not only the best qualified, but “I believe he’s the only Republican who can win.”

“If you’re looking for a candidate who agrees with you on everything, buy a mirror,” Christie said.